Boba vs Solly Baby

I have a fun-loving seven-month-old son who loves exploring the world around him. He could never see much from a stroller, so I found myself carrying him around a lot so he had a clear view of everything going on. Then I discovered these wraps, a hands-free design that could accomplish the same goal. I spent some time investigating the Boba vs Solly Baby Wrap, and I want to share my findings with you.

Bottom Line Up Front

The competition is fierce, but Solly Baby wins out for its breathability, moisture-wicking, and extreme comfort during long walks in the park or town. High quality and safety standards speak volumes, and I can rest easy knowing my son is protected and safe.

Main Differences Between Boba vs Solly Baby

The main differences between Boba vs Solly Baby are:

• Solly Baby has just one model, whereas Boba wraps come in two unique designs
• Solly Baby holds 7 to 25 pounds of weight, whereas Boba is rated from 7 to 35
• Solly Baby stores neatly away in its own side pocket, whereas Boba has a stuff sack to use
• Solly Baby wraps are more expensive, whereas both Boba models are lower in price
• Solly Baby used modal fibers from birchwood trees, whereas Boba uses cotton and viscose from bamboo
• Solly Baby has 24 style options to choose from, whereas Boba only has 20
• Solly Baby has a small amount of give, whereas Boba adds in spandex to be more stretchable

What Does a Baby Wrap Do?

I can’t speak for everyone, but I have grown to loathe pushing strollers through busy areas and into stores and restaurants. I’m constantly crashing into things, and at least the strollers we use take up a lot of space.

When I discovered wraps, I was blown away that I could carry my son on my chest and have two hands free to do whatever I wanted. It also removed the need for a bulky stroller. With baby in front, I know exactly what he’s doing, the attention he needs, and there’s little risk of him coming into contact with something he shouldn’t.

Most carriers are not equipped to handle newborns, but wraps are the clear exception. They are specifically designed for babes fresh out of the womb, giving the illusion of that same familiar space even after birth. My kiddo finds it very calming, and when he’s not sating his curiosity, chances are he’s passed out.

How We Choose a Baby Wrap

Wraps can be a huge blessing if made well, but a curse if poorly designed. Consider each of the following points before going out and making a purchase.

Fit

A good fit is paramount to both safety and the healthy growth of your baby. He or she should be snugly against you with little wiggle room with forehead close enough to kiss. While most wraps allow you to adjust the tightness as you desire, those coming in static sizes should not be ordered too big.

Breathability

The right material is essential when picking up a wrap, no matter the climate you live in. Even if the air isn’t warm, babies can overheat quickly when covered in too much fabric. Breathable designs keep air moving and help cool contact points between you and your infant. Some absorb or wick away moisture to keep the area as dry as possible.

Style

I’m admittedly not the fashion king, but my baby knows how to rock the “Awesome like my daddy” onesies. I’d be doing him a disservice if I didn’t choose a wrap with an equally cool design.

Comfort

I live in an area with a nice downtown and several parks, so going for walks is common. If we end up shopping, I may be wearing my son in front of me for several hours at a time. Whether you’re sporting a wrap for 20 minutes or two hours, you’ll want something that distributes that weight across various points on your body.

Babies tend to find comfort in wraps, as the warm space reminds them of the womb. To maximize comfort, the carrier should support the baby’s back, bottom, and even head at a very young age. Feet need to be spread apart to help with hip comfort and growth.

Storage

Storage may be an afterthought for some, but it’s a lifesaver when trying to juggle everything you need for your baby when heading out the door. I’ve tried stuffing a loose wrap into a diaper bag before, and the fabric literally ends up everywhere. I had to keep taking the wrap out to find what I needed—what a pain.

Wraps with storage bags or pockets save a lot of headaches when you’re not actively using them. Mine now tucks easily into a corner of the diaper bag, out of sight and mind.

Weight Capacity

Most wraps are specifically made to hold a newborn fresh out of the womb to help transition to a new environment. Picking up a wrap that can hold 25 or 30 pounds all but ensures you can use it for most of that first year of life.

Ease of Use

There’s no guarantee you’ll always be out with someone who can help you tie up a wrap, so it’s helpful to choose a design that’s easy to master. Finding a wrap with an intuitive process and helpful instructions can keep you off the struggle bus.

I couldn’t imagine hand cleaning 16 feet of fabric, so I always pick a wrap that I can put in the washing machine. Most designs air-dry pretty quickly, but being able to place them in the dryer can save even more time.

Quality

If a wrap is made to hold babies from birth to at least eight months, the fabric needs to withstand the test of time. I’d rather spend a little more upfront than have to buy new products every couple of months.

Safety

Proper hip growth is a big deal during the first year of a baby’s life. Whatever wrap you buy should have the International Hip Dysplasia Institute’s stamp of approval or it’s not worth considering. The best companies have strict guidelines for wrapping to prevent injury and strive to meet other safety guidelines.

Solly Baby Wrap Review

Let’s investigate the top features of the Solly Baby wrap.

Fit

With 16 feet of fabric to work with, you can choose how tight the Solly Baby wrap contours to your body. You don’t want much give in the material, and the long length means you may have to add a few extra loops. It took me a few tries to get the right feel, but once I did, I was off to the races.

Breathability

I’m still surprised at the special fibers used to make the Solly Baby . Taken from the innards of Austrian Birchwood trees, the material breathes as well on humans as it did on trees. We’ve been out in the heat of the day, and while I wasn’t sweat-free, it was much better than a cotton shirt would have been.

The fabric also specializes in taking moisture away from the contact points between you and baby, making the area as cool as possible. My kiddo and I naturally look cool together, but you get the point.

Style

My son likes to dress stylishly, so what kind of dad would I be if I picked a company with boring wrap designs? Solly Baby has 24 different patterns to choose from, some solid color but others with some sort of print. It wasn’t easy to pick just one!

Comfort

Along with fit, sporting a comfortable Solly Baby wrap rests firmly on your shoulders. As you weave the fabric around you, it’s important to go over crucial spots on your body that help distribute the weight. Even though your infant’s chubbiness tries to pull you down, your back, shoulders, and hips share the burden.

Your baby will be most comfortable if there’s no sag in the Solly Baby as you tie it in place. I keep my infant’s head clearly in view, but he’s got room to move around as he desires. As curious as he is, I’m not sure if I could stop him even if I wanted to.

Storage

Each Solly Baby wrap comes with a pocket at the end with the sole purpose of storing that 16 feet of fabric when you’re not using it. After folding your Solly Baby over and over on itself, simply tuck it into the pocket and you have a compact pouch you can place right into a diaper bag. Don’t try this without the pocket or you’ll end up with fabric everywhere that makes it impossible to find what you’re looking for.

Weight Capacity

Seven pounds is the lower limit for Solly Baby’s designs, and with the average baby weight at birth somewhere between five and a half and nine pounds, you may immediately be in business. Others shouldn’t take too long to meet the minimum requirement, and the Solly Baby wrap makes a great transition from the womb.

On the other side of the scale, infants over 25 pounds should upgrade to a framed carrier or try some walking on their own. Anything beyond this weight will likely make both dad and baby uncomfortable.

Ease of Use

I’ve never been an exotic dancer, so twirling fabric around my body didn’t come naturally to me. At first, I couldn’t tie the thing by myself, but over time (and eventually reading the instructions) I was able to figure things out. It takes less than a minute now to have the Solly Baby wrap in place, and just a few moments more to get baby inside.

After your Solly Baby wrap goes from clean to dirty, cleanup is a snap. The fabric has no issue with a machine wash on a cold gentle setting, and it can even handle a low tumble dry. Mine still looks as good as the day I purchased it.

Quality

A wrap does little good if it falls apart after a few uses, but my Solly Baby wrap is still going strong. Who’d have thunk that tree fibers were so sturdy? They also resist shrinking and stretching over time. The wrap doesn’t feel thick, but I’ve grown to realize it’s not going to give any time soon.

Solly Baby’s headquarters is in Los Angeles, and its entire manufacturing process happens right there.

Interesting Read: The best places to buy Solly Baby Wrap online

Safety

The Solly Baby wrap passes multiple safety requirements, perhaps most notably the International Hip Dysplasia Institute’s guidelines for healthy hip growth. If you don’t see this on a wrap, DO NOT buy it. The company also holds your hands through videos and instructions to show you all the right things to do so you don’t risk injury to your little one.

Pros

• One size fits all
• Fits most newborns up to 25 pounds
• Thin and breathable to reduce heat generation
• Can store the wrap in its own pocket
• Womb-like setting helps babies relax and fall asleep
• Several styles to choose from
• Plenty of instructions and tutorials on how to correctly tie the wrap
• Eco-friendly manufacturing process
• Allows for hands-free baby transportation
• Meets several safety guidelines
• Machine wash and dryable

Cons

• One of the more expensive models on the market
• Difficult to learn how to tie correctly

Boba Baby Wrap Review

Boba’s wrap brings a lot to the table. Let’s take a look at its features now.

Fit

At approximately 16.5 feet, the Boba wrap works for adult bodies of any size and shape. The flexible fabric is a mix of cotton and spandex, with its Serenity line sporting mostly bamboo.

These materials together allow a little extra give that bounces back after movement. The snappy action keeps the cloth tight against your body as you move around. It also keeps your baby firmly in place.

Breathability

Spandex is not at all breathable but represents less than 10% of the material going into a Boba wrap. Everything else is made from cotton in Classic models, one of the more breathable natural fabrics found on earth. When the outside thermometer rises, cotton does tend to trap sweat which can lead to discomfort over time.

Serenity models only use 25% cotton, instead favoring viscose from bamboo as the primary fabric. This material is very breathable, and unlike cotton, helps moisture evaporate quickly.

Comfort

Boba wraps are surprisingly soft and strong whether you go with the Classic or Serenity model. Following the instructions, you’ll carefully weave the fabric around your body and utilize various touch points to distribute your infant’s weight. You may find yourself wearing the Boba for hours on end and not even realize it.

Your little one should have a similar experience each time you drop him or her into the saddle. Babies spend a significant amount of time in a tight space in mom’s womb, so being held in place isn’t unknown to them. The spandex does allow the infant some wiggle room to act and play while still holding the child comfortably in place.

Style

The Boba product line has two models, each with a mix of solid and patterned designs. Between the two, you’ll have 20 different options to choose from to fit your style requirements. All styles of Boba wraps function the same way.

Storage

All Boba wraps with a stuff sack for cramming your wrap into when not in use. It’s a bit crude and doesn’t do much to compress the fabric to a smaller size, but it’s infinitely better than having all that loose material in your diaper bag. 

Weight Capacity

Both the Classic and Serenity wraps are designed for babies ranging from 7 to 35 pounds. The manual does state the product works best for infants up to 20 pounds, as bigger kiddos can get unruly to carry for an extended time. These are perfect for newborns seven pounds or heavier, as the Boba emulates being inside the womb.

Ease of Use

Boba uses what they call a “no guess, one-way tying” method that’s supposed to make the process a snap. It certainly doesn’t work as intended, requiring a steep learning curve to master the tucks and bobs to get everything in place. You’ll get better with time, but it does require patience and another set of hands any time they’re available.

When it’s time to clean your wrap, it’s no more complicated than throwing it into the washer on the delicate cycle with cold water. Once clean, you can even run a tumble dry on the lowest setting. Boba does state it’s best to wash and dry a wrap in its own load, but who has the time or money for that?

Quality

The quality of Boba wraps is at worst case that of a cotton t-shirt. The material can survive many washes and most of what you can throw at it. Should you upgrade to the Serenity wrap, the viscose from bamboo is even more durable and lasts longer than the Classic model. Each type of wrap holds up well through repeat wash and dry cycles from all the drool and spit up.

Safety

Boba takes child safety very seriously, as evidenced by its attention to healthy hip support. Babies sit in a squat position with a slightly rounded spine and froggy legs sticking out the bottom. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recognizes Boba as a hip-healthy design.

Pros

• Uses ultra-soft cotton or cotton/bamboo blend
• Incorporates spandex for added flexibility
• One size fits all design
• Over 16 feet of fabric to work with
• Machine wash and dryable
• Made to comfortably emulate the womb
• Two models to choose from
• Several solid and print patterns
• Excellent instruction manual
• Holds babies up to 35 pounds
• Budget-friendly
• Hip-healthy design

Cons

• Quite tricky to learn how to wrap
• Not as breathable as some other brands
• Lackluster storage bag

Alternative Wraps to Pursue

Solly Baby and Boba create some incredible designs, but their products won’t please everyone. Below are some top-tier alternatives to these two brands.

1. Baby K’tan

Baby K’tan differs from other wraps, coming in non-adjustable sizes made to fit specific body types. The company sells multiple models, including a line made of cotton and one with mesh for even more breathability. Some designs don’t have a lot of flex and may lead to discomfort over time.

Each wrap comes with a separate sash that can be worn for style points but can convert into a storage bag when not in use. The Baby K’tan has one of the higher weight thresholds, supporting kiddos up to 35 pounds. You’ll have to decide if your back can do the same.

When it comes to wraps, Baby K’tan has some of the highest safety accolades of any out there. You can even reposition your child as he or she gets older to promote motor skills and muscle growth.

Related read: Solly Baby Wrap vs Baby Ktan Comparison.

2. Moby

Moby’s Classic model features 100% cotton fabric, while evolution wraps incorporate viscose from bamboo into the design. Both materials are breathable, with the edge going to the more expensive bamboo. These wraps are longer than the competition, stretching 18 feet in total.

A few different models give way to several different designs, allowing you to pick a style that matches your personal flair. Moby products don’t come with a storage container though, so you’ll need to improvise here.

All designs hold up well against wear and tear while meeting necessary safety requirements to promote baby’s growth. There’s a definite learning curve to work through before you feel comfortable tying the wrap on your own, but the site has specific instructions on the right way to wrap.

Check out our comprehensive Moby vs Solly Baby Wrap comparison.

3. LÍLLÉbaby

LÍLLÉbaby launched its Dragonfly wrap to compete in the newborn to toddler space. It can hold kiddos from 8 to 30 pounds with little effort, and the Supima cotton/modal blend makes for a very comfortable fit.

The wrap comes in one size fits most, but the chart lists women’s sizes only. It slips over your head like a t-shirt, with a back brace of sorts to help distribute weight from shoulders to the back and hips. We can certainly wear it too, but the Dragonfly almost looks like a women’s shirt.

It’s possible to pick up a Dragonfly wrap in one of five colors, depending on your tastes. You can run it through a gentle cold water wash cycle when it gets dirty, but LÍLLÉbaby does not recommend using the dryer. There’s also nothing to store the Dragonfly wrap in, although it has less fabric than some of the others on this list.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check out answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about baby wraps.

The Final Verdict

The Solly Baby and Boba wraps are similar in many ways, but the Solly Baby slightly edges out its competitor in my mind. I don’t need the stretch as much as I need the breathability, moisture wicking, and comfort the Solly Baby brings. Even the Solly Baby’s storage sets it apart from other wraps out there. It’s not the cheapest wrap on the market, but I know I’m getting something that’s going to last no matter what my son and I throw at it.